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Our location for the drill is LOYAL HEIGHTS PLAYFIELD – not Kirke Park.

On July 29, our local Community Emergency Communications Hub volunteers will join a citywide drill to practice for a major earthquake. A Community Emergency Communications Hub is a pre-determined location where neighbors can gather in an emergency and share information and resources.

Communications hub volunteers are trained with additional skills and can collect information on local situations, needs, and resources in the event of an emergency. They can relay information between Hubs, the Auxiliary Communications Service, or other locations so that it reaches those in need.

If you’d like to participate in or observe the drill, it is a free event at Loyal Heights Playfield starting at 9 am. For more information, visit: http://seattleemergencyhubs.org/

Saturday, I attended a one day Community Police Academy Training Class and I am going to give you an overview of that class. It covered :

CONSTITUTIONAL LAWS

TheConstitutionalLaws that govern police actions and decision. That includes:

Constitutional Rights

Federal Laws

State Constitution

RCW (Regulatory Code of the State of Washington)

Seattle Municipal Code

Police Policy.

That is a whole lot to learn. And it is something that a cop has to keep in mind and review constantly.

PATROL OPERATION AND PROCEDURES

How the precincts are set up and dispatched. The equipment that a cop carries or packs. Typically, they wear 30 pounds or more including the Kevlar vests.

ARSON/BOMB SQUAD OPERATIONS

We were able to tour the van and take a close look at the suit they wear and the robots they use.

EXPLOSIVE DETECTION DOG AND K9 TRACKING DOG DEMONSTRATIONS

An overview of the training each dog and handler has to go thru plus the mandatory testing that is required before to dog and handler can be certified.

PRISM SIMULATOR (SHOOT/DON’T SHOOT)

This was, for me, a sobering experience. The simulator is interactive and employs Glocks that are modified to use laser lights and not bullets. During my sim, after attempted to get the subject to drop the knife, I had about a second to make the shoot/don’t shoot decision.

New recruits go thru initial testing for 3 – 6 months

Attend the Police Academy for 5 1/2 months

Post duty 6 weeks

Fields Training 3 1/2 months

Probation for 1 year

The DOJ and SPD agreed to a list of ‘markers’ that SPD would have to meet and that will be done sometime this summer. At that point, the DOJ will begin a 2 year monitor of SPD and then the oversight will end.

The class was given at the Police shooting range in Tukwila. SPD did a very good job of putting that class together and I found it well worth my time. They also offer a more in depth Community training class that is an 11 week course, 4 hours a week in the evening. They have a spring course and a fall course for those that are interested. This class gave me a better understanding and a healthy respect for our police officers.

Community Emergency Communications Meeting at Kirke Park P-Patch on June 20th. Everyone is welcome to attend to find out about this program.

From the City: “The Seattle Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is pleased to announce a new partnership with the P-Patch Community Gardening Program to designate all P-Patch Gardens as gathering places during an emergency (Community Emergency Hubs.)

“What is a P-Patch Community Emergency Hub and How Might I Participate?”

Please join Whittier Heights Community Council for a spring meeting on Weds., 5/31, 7:00-8:30 p.m. at Ballard Church, 1460 NW 73rd St. We need neighbors to participate! In addition to a raffle for a Barking Dog Alehouse gift certificate, highlights include:

Baker Park expansion and redesign is finally underway! A meeting at the park was held on May 20. The Seattle Parks & Rec project manager will be at our meeting to seek your input to the design of this improved park.

TONIGHT: Please come to Whittier Heights Community Council’s fall meeting tonight, Monday, Oct. 17th, 7:00-9:00 p.m. at Ballard Church (1460 NW 73rd St.). From 7:00-8:00 p.m., City Councilmember Mike O’Brien will be there for a Q&A to talk with us about our community’s interests and concerns.

After 8:00 p.m., Whittier residents and businesses owners will discuss the newly released Crown Hill Urban Village map and how it impacts our neighborhood. We’ll also provide an update on our community council committees formed in January. Please see the Crown Hill Urban Village Smart Growth Committee’s website for details: New Crown Hill Urban Village map